Sunday 27 May 2012

Win a signed copy of Haunters


Well, my book got launched. Not -- as my son Benjy hoped -- “all the way into the space!”, but with enough bang to leave me happy, and grateful to all those who came. And it was especially good to see so many old friends. Here’s a picture of me looking happy, see. So it’s true.


There were between fifty and sixty people (I gave up trying to count:-) so my fears of being Tommy No-Mates were not realised. I even managed to not pass out during the reading, and no one threw anything or heckled either. Benjy did tap me on the shoe half way through, and Max hugged my leg at the end, but I’m taking these as signs of approval. I scrawled in some books afterwards, and got to see more copies of Haunters in one place than I may ever see again.




So thanks to everyone who came, and thanks to everyone who has bought my book over the last few weeks. And many thanks to Heffers Bookshop too. I’d also like to thank 11-year-old Freddie Rawlins for this glowing and thoughtful review, which I discovered when I got home. Clearly a fellow of impeccable taste. Thanks, Freddie!  

To mark the publication, I’m giving a signed copy of Haunters away on my blog. All you have to do is comment below, and your name will go into a hat on the 3rd June. Comment with a spooky anecdote or ghost story, and I’ll put your name in twice. And don’t hold back – I’m not easily scared *peers over shoulder*…

Thursday 24 May 2012

Publication day!

 
It’s the publishing event of the century! Well, for me, anyway. Haunters is officially out today. Yay! Just as Amazon appear to have run out…

But that’s good news for your local independent or Waterstones. And it’s certainly okay if you are in the Cambridge area and can come to my book launch tonight. Plenty of books there, and I’ll be signing them of course. And I’ve been appearing about the place a bit too, such as Simon Kewin’s brilliant blog, Mr Ripley’s Enchanted books, and even – on a very different note – Planet Penny. And that last one has a competition to win a signed copy and everything!

But a book launch?  That’s, like, appearing in public, right? Do you think I should iron a shirt? Sand my teeth? Someone told me it’s compulsory to wear a sombrero. That is right, isn’t it? Now, where are my Elton John specs…